Jimmy Butler is set to make his debut with the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, facing off against the Chicago Bulls, a team he knows well from his early career. Butler spent his first six seasons in the NBA with the Bulls, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup in his first game wearing the Warriors' colors.

Although Butler was unable to participate in the morning shootaround in Chicago, the Warriors remain optimistic about his availability for the evening game. The team is awaiting the completion of physical evaluations for the other players involved in the trade before finalizing Butler's status. The Warriors acquired Butler from the Miami Heat on Wednesday, in exchange for players Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round draft pick, while Dennis Schröder was dealt to the Utah Jazz and subsequently to the Detroit Pistons. As part of the trade agreement, Butler secured a two-year, $111 million contract extension with Golden State.

This season has presented challenges for Butler, who has averaged 17 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 25 games with the Miami Heat. His campaign has been marred by three suspensions for conduct detrimental to the team, resulting in limited playing time, as he has not appeared in a game since January 21 and has participated in just five contests since December 20. His addition is expected to bolster a Warriors team that is making a concerted effort to secure a playoff spot, as they currently sit at 25-26 and are positioned 11th in the competitive Western Conference. Butler will join key players such as Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga as the Warriors strive to improve their standing and potentially sidestep the play-in tournament. The matchup against the Bulls is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET at the United Center.